Online Dating Made Easier For LGBTQ Community After Section 377 Verdict

When the Supreme Court of India read down a Victorian-era law that criminalized homosexuality, Section 377 to be precise; the LGBTQ+ community not only found a new form of identity but also freedom from shackles of society, taboos and alleged extortioners.

Now, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer community members can not only report cases of sexual harassment but they can freely enjoy the benefits of an online dating app also. When Koyel M came out as a queer in the open seven years ago, she found herself as a target of unpleasant gazes and mutterings while out on a romantic date.

Though the society might continue to brood over such relationships, the law has now become the armour for these people, says Koyel to TOI. Though, Koyel is enjoying her freedom as she likes to meet people in reality than virtually, she doesn¡¯t deny that online dating is much ¡°easier and faster¡±.

Photo: India Today

Divya Dureja, a queer plus poet as well as an activist agrees that dating applications like Tinder and OkCupid continue to remain popular among the LGBTQ+ community because of their accessibility and friendliness.

The most common misconception is that Tinder remains to be a heterosexual app although, in reality, the preferences can be easily customized according to the partner. Dureja herself has been using the app for over a decade to find other queer women with similar interests.

Threats of online dating have reduced drastically, the only thing they can operate on is fear, LGBTQ activist Harish Iyer said.

The biggest advantage of the verdict is that now homosexuals wouldn¡¯t have to be scared of getting caught and trapped by extortionists. The only fear that remains among these members is the fear of disclosure which is common among heterosexual couples as well.

Photo: Representational Image

Geographical location also has a drastic effect on the number of difficulties that one faces due to such relationships. For example, in metropolitan cities like New Delhi and Mumbai, people are more open-minded and welcoming thus making it easier for queer members to navigate public spaces for romantic encounters.

"My privilege of being in a metropolitan city like Delhi has kept me shielded from facing grave issues or hindrances from others while on a date with women in the public sphere,", said Dureja.

In smaller towns though, one needs to brush such relationships under the carpet by introducing their love interest as a ¡°brother¡± or a ¡°friend¡± to their family. Ishan Sethi¡¯s dating application, ¡®Delta¡¯ which is being touted as India¡¯s first homegrown LGBTQ dating app is currently looking at ways in which public spaces can be made more comfortable for these members.

Photo: AP/Celebrations in Nagpur

The app, therefore, has tied up with different brands and cafes like Olive, Smoke House Deli, Grand Hyatt among others to ensure that members of the LGBTQ community can interact freely in such places without any social stigma or legal issues.

"The places we have partnered with taking care that the staff and the environment is inclusive," Sethi said.

Sethi even informed that his app which was launched in April this year has seen a surge in its user base since the verdict.